The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood

The Big Goodbye chronicles the creation of the 1974 film Chinatown, documenting the convergence of four Hollywood figures: director Roman Polanski, screenwriter Robert Towne, producer Robert Evans, and actor Jack Nicholson. Through extensive research and interviews, Wasson reconstructs the complex development process that brought this noir classic to the screen. The book places the film's production within the context of 1970s Hollywood, depicting an industry in transition from old studio systems to new creative freedoms. It explores the personal histories of key players and examines the cultural forces that shaped both Los Angeles and the film industry during this pivotal decade. The narrative tracks the film's journey from early concept through screenplay development, casting, production challenges, and eventual release. Wasson draws on primary sources and firsthand accounts to present an inside view of the creative process behind one of cinema's most celebrated works. Through the lens of Chinatown's creation, the book captures a turning point in American filmmaking - the end of an era when personal, director-driven films could still emerge from within the Hollywood system. The story becomes both a celebration and eulogy for a distinct moment in cinema history.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and insider perspectives on the making of Chinatown, particularly the complex relationships between Roman Polanski, Robert Evans, Robert Towne, and Jack Nicholson. Many note the book captures Hollywood's transition from the studio system to a new era of filmmaking. What readers liked: - Rich historical context of 1970s Los Angeles - Behind-the-scenes drama of the film's production - Strong writing that reads like a narrative What readers disliked: - Frequent tangents and biographical detours - Too much focus on Robert Evans - Some found the pacing uneven, especially in early chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (900+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Reads like a thriller while delivering solid film history" - Amazon reviewer "Sometimes gets lost in minutiae but recovers with fascinating production details" - Goodreads reviewer "More about Evans than Chinatown itself" - Goodreads reviewer

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🎬 The screenplay for "Chinatown" took Robert Towne 10 months to write and was partially inspired by real-life California water rights scandals of the early 1900s. 📽️ Jack Nicholson lived next door to Roman Polanski during the making of the film, and they would frequently discuss scenes late into the night over bottles of wine. 🌟 The book reveals that the film's famous ending was actually a point of fierce contention - Towne originally wrote a hopeful conclusion, but Polanski insisted on the darker finale that made it to screen. 📚 Author Sam Wasson spent over three years researching the book, conducting more than 400 interviews and diving deep into private collections and studio archives. 🎥 "Chinatown" was the last film Roman Polanski made in America before fleeing the country in 1978, marking the end of his Hollywood career and a significant shift in American filmmaking.